What do you guys think of network and sysadmin jobs?

I am currently a jack of all trades. I do a lot of software development but that is just one of my many job functions.

I see a lot more network and sys admin jobs than developer jobs around here. Being a jack of all trades, I am debating whether to go the network/sys admin route or go for strictly developer jobs.

What is the better career path when one is pushing 40?

dude
January 13th, 2018 10:26am

sysadmin is good for non programmers

R
January 13th, 2018 10:29am

If you're a sys admin that knows how to program you can position yourself for systems engineer roles which pay dump trucks full of cash.

Wabi-sabi
January 13th, 2018 10:31am

What does a Systems Engineer do?

Responsibilities
Build, scale, and secure Facebook’s corporate infrastructure, focusing specifically on the Linux environment
Combine open-source and commercial technologies to build services that will have an impact on the business
Work in a heterogeneous environment containing diverse operating systems and applications, and make them work well together

If you want to be a sysadmin then you will have to learn cloud. This is "DevOps" or "Tech Ops" in most companies today.

RPN
January 13th, 2018 3:20pm

>What do you guys think of network and sysadmin jobs?

Not very much, neither do most employers.

library_uk
January 14th, 2018 4:56am

I don't think too highly of those positions. I think being a programmer gets more money and respect.

Legion
January 14th, 2018 11:26pm

I would say the social status of both sys admin and developer is equally shit, with sys admin being slightly better.
You get more money as a developer because you need to retire by the time you are 35, when you get a kick in the butt and are replaced by a younger guy. Also a lot more stress involved.
A DBA or sysadmin makes less money, but:
1) He will not be laid off at the end of a project because he is the guy keeping the systems running.
2) You can see DBAs and sys admins work past the age of 40, developers not so much
3) A lot more jobs available. No need to relocate for you next gig. Even small towns need sys admins. Try finding a developer job in a small town.
4) There is actually a path to management from sys admin. In 2 smaller companies I worked as a developer, I had to answer to the sys admin guy, he was like the project manager/head of IT.
5) Less need to learn new tech, although now with the cloud that might be changing a bit.

Johnny Ekstrom
January 14th, 2018 11:48pm

Most employees hate their IT department, they see them as getting in the way of them accomplishing their work. Usually they are correct in this assessment.

The longer term result of this is they will use SAAS whenever they can, as long as they have the budget and an internet connection they are happy. There are exceptions to this but not many.

The writing is on the wall.

libtard_uk
January 15th, 2018 5:50am

>The writing is on the wall.

I've been saying this for years, and I still get idiots pestering me about the value of doing A+, CCNA, MCSE and the like.